Air Fryer Pork Medallions: Quick, Crispy, And Tender

Air fryer pork tenderloin medallions are a quick and easy meal to make for a busy weeknight. They are also a great option for date night, as they are sophisticated and delicious but require minimal effort. The air fryer helps to create a perfect combination of a crisp exterior with a tender, juicy inside. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your medallions, but on average, they will take around 10-15 minutes to cook at 200°C/390°F.

How to prepare pork tenderloin medallions for the air fryer

Preparing pork tenderloin medallions for the air fryer is a simple process that yields juicy and tender results. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Prepare the Marinade:

Start by gathering your ingredients, which typically include pork tenderloin, olive oil, seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other flavour enhancers like Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, or soy sauce. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to suit your taste.

Combine the olive oil and your chosen seasonings in a small bowl to create a marinade. Whisk them together until they are well blended and have a salad dressing-like consistency.

Step 2: Marinate the Pork:

Place the pork tenderloin in a gallon-sized zip-top bag or a flexible container. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Remove as much air as possible from the bag, seal it, and give it a good toss to distribute the marinade evenly. Place the marinated pork in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. The longer it sits, the more time the flavours have to infuse into the meat.

Step 3: Slice the Tenderloin:

Remove the pork from the marinade and pat it dry with paper towels. To ensure even cooking, slice the tenderloin into equal-sized medallions. The exact number of slices will depend on the size of your tenderloin, but aim for medallions that are about 1-2 inches thick.

Step 4: Prepare the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (180-200°C) for about 5 minutes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket or grill pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you prefer, you can use a rack that sits inside the basket.

Step 5: Air Fry the Pork:

Place the pork medallions in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch each other. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry the pork at the preheated temperature for 9-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the medallions reaches 145°F (63°C).

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy:

Once the pork medallions are cooked to your desired doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. These medallions pair well with a variety of side dishes, such as sweet potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.

Tips:

• You can also wrap each medallion in bacon before air frying for an extra indulgent touch.
• If you prefer not to slice the pork before cooking, you can cook the whole tenderloin, but the cooking time will be about twice as long.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork to ensure it is cooked to your desired doneness.

How to cook pork tenderloin medallions in the air fryer

Ingredients

• Pork tenderloin
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, thyme, paprika, lemon juice, or other spices

Steps

• If desired, make a marinade by combining olive oil, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Place the pork tenderloin in a zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it. Remove most of the air from the bag, seal, and toss to ensure the pork is well-coated. Place in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a full day.
• Slice the tenderloin into equal-sized medallions.
• Place the medallions in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
• Air fry at 350-400°F for 9-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• Pork tenderloin medallions pair well with sweet potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.
• If you prefer, you can cook the tenderloin whole. Simply double the cook time and let the pork rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
• You can also cook pork tenderloin medallions in the oven. Cook at 400°F for 13-18 minutes.
• For a crispy bacon exterior, wrap each medallion in a slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick before air frying.

How to cook pork tenderloin medallions from frozen in the air fryer

Firstly, it is important to note that while it is best to thaw pork tenderloin medallions before cooking for even results, you can adjust the cooking time if using frozen medallions.

To start, you will need the following ingredients:

• Pork tenderloin
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Dried thyme
• Onion powder

Optional ingredients include:

• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce
• Brown sugar
• Smoked paprika
• Ground mustard
• Cayenne powder

Begin by making the marinade. Combine olive oil, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined. Place the pork in a gallon zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it. Remove most of the air from the bag, seal it, and shake to ensure the pork is well-coated. Place the bag in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to a day in advance.

Next, slice the tenderloin into medallions of equal size. To do this, first slice the tenderloin in half, then slice each half in half again, and finally slice each quarter in half. This ensures that all medallions are the same size and will cook evenly.

Now it's time to season the medallions. Remove the pork medallions from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, and onion powder. Rub the medallions with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over them, pressing it into the meat to ensure good coverage.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. Place the seasoned medallions in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping. This allows hot air to circulate around each piece for even cooking.

Set the air fryer temperature to 350-400°F and the cook time for 9-12 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork. The medallions are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Once the medallions are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring the meat is tender and juicy.

Your pork tenderloin medallions can be served with a variety of side dishes, such as sweet potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy!

How to store and reheat pork tenderloin medallions

Leftover pork tenderloin medallions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat in an air fryer, wrap the medallions in aluminium foil and heat for about three minutes.

To reheat on the stove, place the medallions in a covered skillet over low heat and cook until heated through.

To reheat in the oven, place the medallions in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

To reheat in the microwave, cut the medallions into slices, place in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium power for five minutes. Check the internal temperature, and continue heating in two-minute intervals until the medallions reach 165°F (75°C).

For best results, pork tenderloin medallions should be reheated slowly and gently to avoid drying out the meat.

What to serve with pork tenderloin medallions

Pork tenderloin medallions are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:

Traditional Pairings

The traditional pairing for pork tenderloin is creamy mashed potatoes, decadent gravy, and buttery greens, which can transport you to a French bistro. If you want to stick to tradition, you can also serve it with roasted sticky chicken, red potatoes, asparagus, and a green salad.

Vegetables

A variety of vegetables can accompany pork tenderloin medallions. You can serve them with roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes, or a simple salad. Air fryer green beans, broccoli, broccolini, roasted green beans, or buttery asparagus are also great options. If you're looking for something a bit more indulgent, try garlic mashed potatoes or Instant Pot mac & cheese.

Rice or Pasta

Rice or pasta dishes can also complement pork tenderloin medallions. You could try serving it with rice and roasted vegetables, or pasta dishes like pork fried rice or pork stir fry.

Fruits

Fruits such as apples or cinnamon applesauce can be a nice complement to the savoury flavours of the pork.

Sauces

When it comes to sauces, you can experiment with different options. Most sauces that go well with steak will also pair beautifully with pork tenderloin. For a Japanese twist, try a steakhouse ginger sauce. Or, for something more traditional, a mushroom Marsala gravy or creamy herb sauce can be delicious.

Frequently asked questions